IB 20th Century World History
Course of Study 2014-2015
Contact: Ms. Donna Anderson
Website: http://wp.lps.org/danders4
E-mail: danders4@lps.org
Phone: 402-436-1301 ext. 61105
Or LHSAnderson (Twitter)
Paper 1 - Prescribed subject 1: Peacemaking,
peacekeeping—international relations 1918-1936
This prescribed subject is an in-depth study which addresses international relations from 1918 to 1936 with emphasis on
the Paris Peace Settlement—its making, impact and problems of enforcement—and attempts during the period to
promote collective security and international cooperation through the League of Nations and multilateral agreements
(outside the League mechanism), arms reduction and the pursuit of foreign policy goals without resort to violence. The
prescribed subject also requires consideration of the extent to which the aims of peacemakers and peacekeepers were
realized and the obstacles to success.
Areas on which the primary source-based questions will focus are:
 Aims of the participants and peacemakers: Wilson and the Fourteen Points
 Terms of the Paris Peace Treaties 1919-1920: Versailles, St Germain, Trianon, Neuilly, Sèvres/Lausanne 1923
 The geopolitical and economic impact of the treaties on Europe; the establishment and impact of the mandate system
 Enforcement of the provisions of the treaties: US isolationism—the retreat from the Anglo–American Guarantee;
disarmament—Washington, London, Geneva conferences
 The League of Nations: effects of the absence of major powers; the principle of collective security and early attempts
at peacekeeping (1920-1925)
 The Ruhr Crisis (1923); Locarno and the “Locarno Spring” (1925)
 Depression and threats to international peace and collective security: Manchuria (1931-1933) and the Italian and
Ethiopian Abyssinia crisis (1935-1936).
Paper 2 Twentieth Century World History Topics –
Two Topic Areas of Study are Required (We will study 3)
The topics should be studied through a selection of case studies drawn from different regions.
The syllabus specifications for every topic include major themes and material for detailed study. It is important to ensure
that examples selected for detailed study cover two regions as outlined by the IBO (Americas, Africa, Europe and the
Middle East, Asia and Oceania. In the examination that tests this component (HL paper 2) questions will be set on major
themes. Named questions will be confined to the material in major themes and detailed study. When answering open
ended questions students can use examples from the list and/or alternative examples.
Causes, Practices and Effects of Wars – Paper 2 - Topic 1:
War was a major feature of the 20th century. In this topic the different types of war should be identified, and the causes,
practices and effects of these conflicts should be studied.
Major themes of Topic 1
Different types and nature of 20th century
warfare
Origins and causes of wars
Nature of 20th Century Wars
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Civil
Guerilla
Limited war
Total war
Long-term, short-term and immediate causes
Economic, ideological, political, and religious causes
 Technological developments, tactics and strategies, air, land
and sea
 Home front: economic and social impact including change in
the role and status of women
 Resistance and revolutionary movements
 Peace settlements and wars ending without treaties
 Attempts at collective security pre- and post-second World
Effects and Results of Wars
War
 Political repercussions and territorial changes
 Post-war economic problems
Exam material for detailed study could include:
 World War I 1914-1918
 The Origins of World War II 1939-1945
 Middle East: Iran–Iraq war (1980-88), Gulf War (1991)
 The Korean war
 The Second Indochinese war/The Vietnam war
Origins and Development of Authoritarian and Single-Party States: – Paper 2 - Topic 3
This topic addresses the origins, ideology, and form of government, organization, nature and impact of regimes during the
20th century.
Origins and nature of authoritarian and
single-party states
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Conditions that produced authoritarian and single-party states
Emergence of leaders: aims, ideology, support
Totalitarianism: the aim and the extent to which it was
achieved
Establishments of authoritarian and single
party states
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Methods: force, legal
Form of government, (left and right wing) ideology
Nature, extent and treatment of opposition
Domestic policies and impact
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Structure and organization of government and administration
Political, economic, social and religious policies
Role of education, the arts, the media, propaganda
Status of women, treatment of religious groups and minorities
Material for Detailed Study could include:
 Americas: Cuba – Castro
 Asia: China – Mao
 Europe: Germany – Hitler, USSR - Stalin
The Cold War: – Paper 2 - Topic 5
This topic addresses East–West relations from 1945. It aims to promote an international perspective and understanding of
the origins, course and effects of the Cold War—a conflict that dominated global affairs from the end of the Second World
War to the early 1990s. It includes superpower rivalry and events in all areas affected by Cold War politics such as
spheres of interest, wars (proxy), alliances and interference in developing countries.
Origins of the Cold War
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Ideological differences
Mutual suspicion and fear
From wartime allies to post-war enemies
Nature of the Cold War
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Ideological opposition
Superpowers and spheres of influence
Alliances and diplomacy in the Cold War
Development and impact of the Cold War
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Global spread of the Cold War from its European origins
Cold War policies
Role of the United Nations and the Non-Aligned Movement
Role and significance of leaders
Arms race, proliferation and limitation
Social, cultural and economic impact
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End of Cold War
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Break-up of Soviet Union: internal problems and external
pressures
Breakdown of Soviet control over Central and Eastern Europe
Material for detailed study
 Wartime conferences: Yalta and Potsdam 1945
 US policies and developments in Europe: Truman Doctrine, Marshall Plan, NATO
 Soviet policies, Sovietization of Eastern and Central Europe, COMECON, Warsaw Pact
 Sino–Soviet relations
 US–Chinese relations
 Germany (especially Berlin (1945-1961), Afghanistan (1979-1988), Korea, Cuba, Vietnam
 Castro, Gorbachev, Kennedy, Mao, Reagan, Stalin, Truman
Assessments
There are two types of assessments: formative or summative. Formative assignments are ones that help
you develop and practice knowledge, a skill, or a certain lesson/unit, i.e. in-class assignments, homework, and
study guides, etc. Summative assignments are those that test your knowledge on a subject, i.e. quizzes, tests,
and research projects.
You will have between 13-15 reading quizzes during the semester. These reading quizzes will be
unannounced and will pertain a larger, over-arching question regarding the readings. Your lowest three quiz
grades will be dropped at the end of the semester.
Tests will model the question and format of your IB History exams. All tests will be written in essay format.
There will be a test at the end of every major unit (see schedule below).
Schedule
Here is a basic timeline to what topics we will be studying at what time we will be expected to finish.
These times may fluctuate slightly, but by working together we will be able to stay on schedule.
Quarter 1
Quarter 2
Quarter 3
Quarter 4
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Origins of World War I
World War I
Begin Inter-War Period: 1918-1936
Inter-War Period: 1918-1936
o Paper 1 Topics (see above)
Origins and Development of Authoritarian and Single-Party States
Finish I.A. Part I
Causes of World War II
World War II
The Cold War to 1954
Finish I.A.
The Cold War 1954-1989
Conflicts in the Middle East (?)
Exam Review
Classroom Procedures
1. Be respectful – to yourself, your peers, your teacher, and your environment. Be aware of how you
approach the people around you, physically and verbally.
2. Be focused – Always come to class prepared to focus on the class objectives and lesson activities for the
day. Make sure you bring a notebook and utensils to take notes. Please put away any distractions, i.e.
iPods/mp3 players, during instruction time. Cell phones will NOT be permitted, unless permission has been
given, and will be taken away.
3. Tardies/Absences – LHS tardy and attendance policy will be strictly followed. Each tardy to class will be
recorded in Synergy and in my attendance book. Your administrator will issue consequences. Please realize
that your class time is valuable from start to finish. If you have issues getting from one class to another, please
tell me so I can address that issue with the teacher.
4. Missed Work – The majority of your missed work and assignments can be pulled from my website. If you
need access to a printer, please ask for a pass to the Media Center. However, missed in-class notes will have
to be attained from one of your classmates or from me before or after school.
5. Late Work - You can expect to have daily work, in-class assignments and homework, during this course. All
assignments given will need to be turned in by the beginning of the period of the assigned due date in
order to receive full credit. Points will be docked for late assignments as follows…
Amount of Days Late
1
Maximum Grade on
Assignment
90%
2-3
80%
4-5
70%
6 or more
60%
6. Book Check Out – Please refrain from writing, underlining, or highlighting in your books (Post-Its are a
great substitute). Students with lost or damaged books will be charged full price of the book at purchase.
7. Restrooms – Please do not interrupt classroom instruction time to use the restroom. You must have your
planner or the classroom pass to use the restroom.
8. Classroom Dismissal – Please do not get up from your seat until I dismiss you from class.
9. Food/Drinks – You may have closed cap drinks in the class. Food is permitted. If you or your classmates
abuse this privilege by not cleaning up prior to the end of the class period the following policy will be followed.
1st Offense: No food for the entire class for one day.
2nd Offense: No food for the entire class for one week.
3rd Offense: No food for the entire class for the rest of the semester.
10. Cheating/Plagiarism – Cheating and plagiarism will not be tolerated in this classroom. Written
assignments will be submitted through TurnitIn.com to check for plagiarism. Cheating on a quiz or exam will
result in an automatic zero.